EP4047910A1 - Telecommunications control unit, method of identification thereof and readout device - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to improve and/or simplify the setting up of a telephone connection, the invention provides a telecommunications connection unit (100) with connection contacts (401, 402) for connection to a subscriber line (250) and at least one connection socket (150, 444) for Connection of a communication device (300) on the subscriber side, which comprises a readable data memory (170) with identification information that can be stored therein, which can be accessed by means of an external device (210, 160) via the connection contacts (401, 402) or via the at least one connection socket (150 , 444) can be read out. The invention also provides a corresponding readout device and a method for identifying a telecommunications connection unit (100).

Description

The invention relates generally to telephone networks and more particularly to a telecommunications line unit, and to a method and apparatus for identifying a telecommunications line unit.

Public telecommunications networks have numerous exchanges, also called local exchanges, to which terminals are connected via corresponding subscriber lines. The subscriber terminals are connected to a telecommunications connection unit (TAE) installed at the subscriber.

When a telephone connection is set up in a subscriber's premises, an employee of the network operator can use communication with the exchange via the subscriber line to check whether the telephone connection is switched correctly on the exchange side. This can be done, for example, using a corresponding service device, which the employee connects to the TAE on site.

The so-called 1. TAE is the network operator's point of view as the first connection socket in the subscriber's premises. It is the transfer point to the end customer and thus serves as a network termination. The 1st TAE belongs to the network operator and contains a passive test termination (PPA) for measurement purposes.

The PPA consists of a series connection of a diode and a 470 kΩ resistor connected between the tip and ring of the local loop. In normal operation, the diode is blocked by the DC voltage fed into the a/b wire by the local exchange, if the connection is correct If the TAE is connected to the a/b double wire, ie the a terminal to negative potential and the b terminal to positive potential, practically no current flow can be measured. For testing purposes, the supply voltage of the connection to be measured can be reversed by the subscriber circuit in the exchange. Then the resistance of the PPA and thus also the resistance of the subscriber line can be measured. In this way, it can be checked remotely with the so-called system-external testing technology (SEPT) whether the subscriber connection line up to the 1st TAE of the user meets the requirements with regard to the galvanic measured values, especially insulation values and external voltage components. In this way, for example, an interruption or a short circuit on the subscriber line can be detected. In the event of deviations from the target value, possible errors can be classified more precisely based on the measured resistance.

The main purpose of the passive test completion for the network operator is to make a statement as quickly as possible in the event of a fault report by the user as to whose area of responsibility the fault lies in, whereby a successful measurement of the SEPT does not allow any statement to be made as to whether the telephone line is connected to the correct location is.

The invention is based on the object of demonstrating a way in which setting up a telephone connection can be improved and/or simplified.

The technical problem mentioned above is solved by a telecommunications connection unit according to claim 1, a readout device according to claim 10 and a method according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments and developments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

A core idea of the invention is to be seen in equipping a telecommunications connection unit with a readable memory in which identification information can be stored which uniquely identifies the TAE.

In other words, the invention relates to a modified TAE capable of identifying itself. A TAE modified according to the invention is also referred to below as a smart TAE. The memory of the smart TAE can be read out both with a reading device on site and remotely. In this way, it can be recognized quickly and automatically whether the respective connection belongs to the customer location.

The invention accordingly provides a telecommunications connection unit which comprises connection contacts for connection to a subscriber line and at least one connection socket for connecting a communication device on the subscriber side, the telecommunications connection unit also comprising a readable data memory with identification information that can be stored therein, the Data memory can be read out by means of an external device via the connection contacts or via the at least one connection socket.

The telecommunications connection unit advantageously comprises a control unit, by means of which the data memory can be read out, the control unit being designed in particular to transmit identification information stored in the data memory to the external device in response to an activation signal which the control unit receives from the external device transmit device. The control unit is preferably designed to automatically transmit the identification information stored in the data memory by means of a current-modulated signal in response to the activation signal. For this purpose, a voltage can advantageously be applied as an activation signal from the external device to the a and b wires of a subscriber line to which the telecommunications connection unit is connected, with this voltage in particular above a predetermined threshold value, in particular above a Voltage of 60 V, in particular above a voltage of 64 V is. The control unit can be activated by the applied voltage, in which case the control unit can then easily generate a current-modulated signal when the voltage is applied, for example by means of at least one switchable resistor.

To this end, the telecommunications connection unit advantageously comprises an electronic circuit with two terminals for connection to the tip and ring wires of a subscriber line, the electronic circuit being adapted to activate the control unit when connected to the terminals of the electronic circuit a voltage above a predetermined threshold value, in particular above a voltage of 60 V, in particular above a voltage of 64 V, is applied. Advantageously, the electronic circuit can comprise a DIAC or a plurality of DIACs connected in series, the breakdown voltage of which determines the threshold value of the voltage above which the control unit is activated, the activation taking place in particular by the control unit being supplied with an operating voltage when the or the DIACs become conductive.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the telecommunications connection unit, the control unit is designed as a microcontroller, with the microcontroller and the data memory in particular being arranged in a common integrated chip (IC), the integrated chip being in particular a component of the electronic circuit.

In order to generate a current-modulated signal, the electronic circuit preferably comprises at least a first and a second resistor, the first resistor being arranged in such a way that an electric current flows through it between the terminals of the electronic circuit when a voltage above a predetermined threshold value is applied, and wherein the second resistor, controlled by the control unit, can be connected in parallel with the first resistor in order to vary the current strength of the current flowing between the terminals of the electronic circuit.

In order to avoid or reduce mutual interference between the operation of the electronic circuit arranged in the TAE and a data transmission between the exchange and a subscriber terminal connected to the TAE, there are in the electronic circuit and/or between the connections the electronic circuit and the a- and b-wires of the subscriber line advantageously suitable components are provided for the suppression of interference signals. In particular, this prevents the electronic circuit arranged in the TAE from influencing a DSL data transmission. For this purpose, passive filters can advantageously be provided, which can include a combination of resistors, coils and/or capacitors, for example. For example, an RL filter can advantageously be provided, which includes an inductor and a resistor. The use of other filters known per se is also conceivable.

The electronic circuit can also advantageously include a rectifier, which is used in particular to ensure the functionality of the circuit regardless of the polarity of the voltage applied by the external device to the terminals of the electronic circuit.

The telecommunications connection unit is preferably provided by the network operator as the 1st TAE, the telecommunications connection unit forming a network termination and comprising a passive test termination, with the electronic circuit and the passive test termination being connected in parallel, or the passive test termination in the electronic circuit is integrated.

The invention also provides a readout device for reading out a data memory of a telecommunications connection unit as described above, the readout device being either a remote device that can be connected to the telecommunications connection unit via the subscriber line, for example an MSAN or DSLAM arranged at the exchange, or a device that can be connected locally to the telecommunications connection unit, wherein a device that can be connected locally can be connected in particular to the at least one connection socket of the telecommunications connection unit.

To activate the control unit arranged in the telecommunications connection unit, the readout device is preferably designed to be connected to an electronic circuit integrated in the telecommunications connection unit Apply voltage above a predetermined threshold value, in particular above a voltage of 60 V, in particular above a voltage of 64 V.

To determine the identification information stored in the data memory of the telecommunications connection unit, the readout device is advantageously designed to receive a current-modulated signal from the telecommunications connection unit and to determine identification information from this signal.

The invention also provides a method for identifying a telecommunications connection unit, for which a telecommunications connection unit described above is provided. Before the telecommunications connection unit is installed on a subscriber connection, unique identification information is stored in the data memory of the telecommunications connection unit. The storage of the unique identification information in the data memory is advantageously already carried out by the manufacturer of the telecommunications connection unit. However, it is also conceivable to store the unique identification information in the data memory at a later point in time via a suitable interface.

The method for identifying the telecommunications connection unit also provides for activating a control unit arranged in the telecommunications connection unit by transmitting an activation signal to the control unit from a readout device, as described above, with the readout device having the connection contacts or the at least one connection socket of the telecommunications connection unit is connected. The method also provides that, in response to activation by the control unit, a signal generated as a function of the identification information stored in the data memory is automatically transmitted from the telecommunications connection unit to the connected reading device, and the connected reading device receives the signal and off determines the identification information from the received signal.

The invention is described in more detail below by way of example using preferred embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference symbols in the drawings designate the same or similar parts.

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Abbildung eines typischen Aufbaus eines Teilnehmeranschlusses, welcher über eine Teilnehmeranschlussleitung mit einer Vermittlungsstelle eines Netzbetreibers verbunden ist, und bei welchem eine erfindungsgemäße Telekommunikations-Anschluss-Einheit eingesetzt wird,

Fig. 2:

schematisch die Abbildung eines passiven Prüfabschlusses einer Telekommunikations-Anschluss-Einheit,

Figuren 3a und 3b:

eine schematische Abbildung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer in einer Telekommunikations-Anschluss-Einheit angeordneten elektronischen Schaltung,

Fig. 4:

ein schematisches und idealisiertes Diagramm eines zeitlichen Verlaufs der Stromstärke eines nach Aktivieren der Steuereinheit der in den Figuren 3a und 3b dargestellten elektronischen Schaltung fließenden Stroms,

Fig. 5:

eine schematische und idealisierte Detailansicht des in Fig. 4 dargestellten Verlaufs der Stromstärke, und

Fig. 6:

die schematische Abbildung eines Gehäuses einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Telekommunikations-Anschluss-Einheit.

Show it:

Figure 1:

a schematic illustration of a typical structure of a subscriber connection, which is connected via a subscriber line to a switching center of a network operator, and in which a telecommunications connection unit according to the invention is used,

Figure 2:

schematic representation of a passive test termination of a telecommunications connection unit,

Figures 3a and 3b:

a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of an electronic circuit arranged in a telecommunications connection unit,

Figure 4:

a schematic and idealized diagram of a time course of the current intensity after activating the control unit in the figures 3a and 3b illustrated electronic circuit flowing current,

Figure 5:

a schematic and idealized detailed view of the in 4 shown course of the current, and

Figure 6:

the schematic illustration of a housing of a preferred embodiment of a telecommunications connection unit according to the invention.

In 1 a telecommunications connection unit 100 is shown schematically, this being designed as a smart TAE with a data memory 170 for storing unique identification information. In the example shown, the TAE 100 is installed as the 1st TAE on a subscriber line and is connected via the subscriber line 250 to an MSAN (Multi-Service Access Node) 210 in the exchange 200 of a network operator. The MSAN 210 connects the local loop 250 to the carrier's core network and wraps the communication with the respective protocol provided for a subscriber-side connected to the TAE 100, such as a subscriber terminal 300, for example via the telephone network or the Internet. Alternatively, the subscriber line could also be connected to a DSLAM 220, for example. In the switching center 200 shown, a DSLAM 220 and an MSAN 210 are shown only by way of example, which are connected to a broadband access server BRAS (Broadband Remote Access Server) 230, also referred to as BNG (Broadband Network Gateway). A number of DSLAMs and/or MSANs are typically arranged in a switching center 200 . The MSAN, which forms the exchange-side line termination of the subscriber line 250, could also be arranged as an outdoor MSAN in a cable distributor.

In order to identify a telecommunications connection unit, and in particular to check whether a subscriber connection belongs to a customer location, the invention therefore provides a telecommunications connection unit 100 in which the data memory 170 of the TAE 100 has unique identification information save, and to install the TAE 100 with stored ID on a subscriber line.

Like a conventional TAE, the TAE 100 includes connection contacts for connecting to the subscriber line 250, and at least one connection socket for connecting a subscriber-side communication device, such as the illustrated subscriber terminal 300. In contrast to a conventional TAE, the TAE 100 includes a readable data memory 170 identification information that can be stored therein, the data memory 170 being readable by means of an external device. The identification information stored in the data memory 170 is preferably used to uniquely identify the TAE 100, the unique identification information being advantageously already stored in the data memory 170 by the manufacturer of the TAE 100.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the MSAN 210 could be used as an external device, which is connected to the TAE 100 via the connecting contacts of the TAE 100 and via the subscriber line 250 . Alternatively, a readout device 160 could also be used as an external device, which can be connected to the TAE 100 locally via a connection socket of the TAE 100 . For a TAE according to the invention, which is connected to the DSLAM 220, the DSLAM 220 could also be used as an external device.

In the 1 TAE 100 according to the invention shown is used in the example shown as the 1st TAE and advantageously includes a passive test termination (PPA). In 2 the electrical design of such a passive test termination (PPA) known per se is shown schematically. The PPA consists of a series connection of a diode 130 and a resistor 140 with a resistance value of typically 470 kΩ, the series connection being connected between the connection contacts La and Lb of a TAE. The connection contacts La and Lb are used to connect the a-or. b-wire of a subscriber connection line designed as a two-wire line and are arranged within a connection strip 110 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, in 2 Contacts 121 and 122 of a connection socket of the TAE are shown, which are each connected to the connection contact La or Lb, the connection socket being used to connect a communication device on the subscriber side.

In order to use the external device to read out the identification information stored in the data memory 170, the TAE 100 advantageously includes a control unit which is designed to respond to an activation signal which the control unit receives from the external device, ie for example from the readout device 160 or the MSAN 210, receives to transmit identification information stored in the data memory to the external device. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the external device applies a voltage to terminals of the TAE 100 as an activation signal, in particular a DC voltage above a predetermined threshold value, in particular above 60 V, in particular above 64 V, this voltage being applied to the two terminals of the TAE 100 is created, which are used to connect to the a and b wires of the subscriber line.

The TAE 100 includes particularly advantageous in the figures 3a and 3b schematically illustrated electronic circuit 400, which includes the terminals 401 and 402 for connection to the a and b wires of the subscriber line 250. the figures 3a and 3b each show a part of the electronic circuit in a schematic representation, the circuit parts being connected at the points denoted by reference numerals 601 and 602. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connections 401 and 402 are provided within an 8-pole connection strip 442, the connection strip 442 advantageously being implemented using LSA insulation displacement technology, with connections on the connection strip 442 being connected to connections on an F-coded connection socket 444. The terminals of terminal block 442 are numbered 1 through 8, with the values given within the rectangle as which terminal block 442 is shown schematically representing the terminals of connector socket 444 to which each terminal of terminal block 442 is connected. In the exemplary embodiment shown, in particular the connections 1 and 3, 2 and 4, and 5 and 6 of the connection strip 442 are each connected to one another. The resulting connection assignment of the connection socket 444 corresponds to the usual connection assignment of an F-coded connection socket of a TAE, whereby connection 4 of the connection socket 444 is not used.

It should also be noted that in the figures 3a and 3b in addition to the reference symbols, parameter values and/or type designations of the components used are indicated in the usual way for detailed illustration.

The electronic circuit 400 comprises an integrated chip 410 as a control unit, a chip of the type PIC10F322-IOT being used in the exemplary embodiment shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the chip 410 also includes the data memory 170 , ie the identification information is stored in a memory of the chip 410 . In the illustrated embodiment, the data memory is 170 designed in particular as a flash memory of the chip 410. In particular, a program that can be executed by the processor of chip 410, including instructions that can be executed by the processor, is also stored in the flash memory of chip 410, so that in the exemplary embodiment shown, data memory 170 also functions as a program memory. The stored program is preferably executed automatically as soon as the chip 410 is activated by applying an operating voltage, with the program being able to access the identification information stored in the data memory 170.

The electronic circuit 400 is designed to activate the control unit, i.e. the chip 410, when a voltage above a predetermined threshold value, in particular above a voltage of 60 V, in particular above a voltage of 64 V, is applied to the terminals 401 and 402 .

The control unit of TAE 100, ie chip 410 in the illustrated embodiment, is designed to read a voltage stored in data memory 170 in response to an activation signal, ie in particular in response to a voltage applied to terminals 401 and 402 of electronic circuit 400 To transmit identification information to the external device 160 or 210, preferably by means of a current-modulated signal. To this end, the electronic circuit 400 comprises at least a first and a second resistor 492 and 493, the first resistor 492 being arranged such that an electric current flows through it between the terminals 401 and 402 of the electronic circuit 400 when connected to the terminals 401 and 402 of the electronic circuit 400, a voltage above a predetermined threshold value is applied, and the second resistor 493, controlled by the control unit 410, can be switched in parallel with the first resistor 492 in order to reduce the current between the terminals 401 and 402 of the electronic circuit 400 flowing current to vary. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the electronic circuit for connecting the resistor 493 in parallel includes a transistor 452 which is driven by an output terminal of the chip 410 via the resistor 494 .

The telecommunications connection unit 100 is preferably provided by the network operator as the 1st TAE, the telecommunications connection unit 100 forming a network termination and comprising a passive test termination 600, analogously to that in 2 illustrated PPA. The passive test termination 600 can be formed as part of the electronic circuit 400, as shown in FIGS figures 3a and 3b shown. Alternatively, an electronic circuit arranged, for example, on a printed circuit board could also be provided figures 3a and 3b comprises the components shown except for the PPA 600, the electronic circuit and the PPA being connected in parallel to the connections of the TAE 100 for connecting the tip and ring wires of the subscriber line in this embodiment. This embodiment with a separate PPA can be particularly advantageous if, for example, a conventional TAE with PPA is to be expanded with an electronic circuit to form a TAE according to the invention.

The following describes how the in the figures 3a and 3b schematically illustrated electronic circuit explained again in more detail.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the DIACs 431 and 432 each have a breakdown voltage of 32 V, so that the series connection of the two DIACs only becomes conductive at a voltage above 64 V. If a feed voltage in the form of a DC voltage of usually 60 V is applied to the terminals 401 and 402 of the electronic circuit from the MSAN 210 via the subscriber line 250, the DIACs accordingly do not switch through.

However, the passive test termination 600 works in a conventional manner when a standard supply voltage of 60 V is applied, i.e. when the polarity of the supply voltage is reversed on the exchange side such that the connection 401 is at plus potential and the connection 402 is at minus potential, the diode 475 of the passive test termination 600 is conductive and an electric current flows through the resistor 496, allowing the central office to measure the resistance 496 of the PPA 600 and hence the resistance of the local loop.

However, if a DC voltage is applied to terminals 401 and 402 which is above a predetermined limit value, then a control unit of TAE 100, chip 410 in the exemplary embodiment shown, is activated. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the limit value is specified by the dimensioning of the DIACs 431 and 432 and is 64 V. If the supply voltage is above this limit value, the DIACs 431 and 432 become conductive, as a result of which the chip 410 is supplied with an operating voltage. The electronic circuit 400 advantageously includes a rectifier 420, so that the chip 410 is activated when the DC voltage applied to the terminals 401 and 402 is above the limit value, regardless of the polarity of the applied voltage.

The resistor 491, the transistor 451, the zener diode 470, the capacitor 480 and the diode 471 form a circuit for regulating the operating voltage of the chip 410, the setpoint value of the control circuit being determined by the breakdown voltage of the reverse-biased zener diode 470 and the control by means of the transistor 451, and the capacitor 480 serves as a smoothing capacitor.

The electronic circuit 400 advantageously also includes overvoltage protection. For this purpose, an overvoltage arrester 425 arranged between the connections 401 and 402 is preferably provided, which is designed as a two-pole gas arrester in the exemplary embodiment shown.

The resistors 495 and 497 and the inductances 461 and 462 are used to avoid mutual interference between the electronic circuit 400 and a data transmission that takes place between the exchange and the subscriber terminal 300 connected to the TAE 100 via the subscriber line 250, in particular to exclude a DSL -influencing.

As described above, a control unit arranged in the TAE 100, ie for example the chip 410, is activated in order to read out the stored ID, this being effected by an activation signal which the control unit receives from a reading device is provided, in which case an MSAN 210 connected to the connection contacts 401 and 402 can be used as a read-out device, or a read-out device 160 connected to a connection socket 444 of the TAE 100.

In response to the activation, the control unit, i.e. the chip 410 in the exemplary embodiment shown, generates a signal automatically and as a function of the identification information stored in the data memory, which signal is transmitted from the TAE 100 to the connected read-out device 210 or 160. The connected reading device receives the signal and evaluates it in order to determine the identification information contained in the signal.

In the following, the signal transmission in connection with the Figures 4 and 5 explained in more detail.

It is assumed that a DC voltage is applied to the terminals 401 and 402 of the electronic circuit 400 by an external device connected to the terminals 401 and 402, in particular by the MSAN 210 or the readout device 160. If the voltage is provided by the MSAN 210, the voltage present between the terminals 401 and 402 is also dependent on the internal resistance of the MSAN 210 and on the line resistance of the subscriber line 250. At different subscriber lines, the voltage provided by the MSAN 210 can therefore vary with the same voltage will distinguish the voltage present between terminals 401 and 402. Furthermore, it is assumed that the negative potential of the applied direct voltage is present at the connection 401 and the positive potential of the applied direct voltage is present at the connection 402 . This corresponds to the usual polarity of the supply voltage and the reverse direction of the PPA 600.

Because of the DIACs 431 and 432, a certain current only begins to flow through the resistor 492 above a certain voltage threshold, the threshold voltage being 64 V in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. For example, if there is a DC voltage of 80 V between terminals 401 and 402 on, an electric current initially flows between the connections 401 and 402, the current strength of which is decisively determined by the value of the resistor 492. In the example shown, the resistor 492 has a value of 20 kΩ, so that initially a current with an intensity of about 4 mA flows.

This current flow can be detected by the external device and thus already forms a first part of a test of a subscriber line. At the same time, as described above, the chip 410 is activated by providing an operating voltage at the terminal of the chip 410 marked VCC, as a result of which the microcontroller contained in the chip 410 executes a program stored in the memory of the chip 410 .

Executing the stored program causes the microcontroller of chip 410 to switch resistor 493 in parallel with resistor 492 depending on a data sequence after a specified waiting time has elapsed, so that when resistor 493 is connected in parallel, the current flow approximately triples to a current strength of 12 mA , since in the illustrated embodiment the resistor 493 has a value of 10 kΩ. A current flow of 12 mA then corresponds to a high level and a current flow of 4 mA to a low level. The resistor 493 is connected in parallel by the chip 410 by means of the transistor 452, which is driven by a signal at an output of the chip 410.

Depending on the specified data sequence, the current flow is controlled in such a way that a high level corresponds to a binary value of 1 in the data sequence and a low level corresponds to a binary value of 0 in the data sequence, the data sequence comprising the identification information stored in the data memory of TAE 100. The data sequence can advantageously include further information, in particular synchronization and test data.

In the case of a simple design with resistors, the absolute current values are proportionally dependent on the voltage available at the TAE socket 100, which can vary greatly due to the large variation in line lengths. The exam or Evaluation of the current values by the external device, ie for example by the MSAN 210 or the readout device 160, is therefore advantageously based on relative values and not on absolute values of the current intensity. In this way, the structure of the electronic circuit 400 can be kept simple, which advantageously allows a smaller size of the electronic circuit 400 and thus also lower costs than would be possible with a defined current control with absolute values.

4 shows schematically and in idealized form the course of the current intensity over time after switching on a voltage above the specified threshold voltage at time t ₁ , a direct voltage of 80 V being applied to terminals 401 and 402 of electronic circuit 400, for example.

For example, a current of 4 mA initially flows, ie a current at the low level. The binary data transmission of the data sequence 500 begins after a predetermined waiting time of, for example, 500 milliseconds at time t ₂ , ie t ₂ −t ₁ =500 ms. The waiting time is effected with the aid of a timer integrated in the chip 410, for example.

In figure 5 the current course for the transmission of the data sequence 500 from the point in time t ₂ is again shown schematically in detail, with an idealized square-wave signal being shown which reproduces the basic course. The actual course of the current deviates from the ideally rectangular course shown and is also determined, for example, by the capacitive and inductive behavior of the transmission lines.

For synchronization, 8 high-low pulses are initially transmitted, with these 16 bits corresponding to the data sequence and figure 5 are denoted by the reference numeral 510. This is followed directly by the actual identification information, which is stored in the data memory of the chip 410 and is an ID identifier with a data length of 32 bits in the exemplary embodiment shown figure 5 denoted by the reference numeral 520. Furthermore, the data sequence includes a test value for Verification of the ID identifier, in the example shown a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) with a data length of 8 bits, which in figure 5 denoted by the reference numeral 530. The CRC check value is calculated from the value of the ID code according to a predetermined calculation rule. Corresponding calculation methods are known per se and can, for example, include the formation of a checksum. Since the ID identifier uniquely identifies the TAE 100 and accordingly an ID identifier is only assigned once per TAE and does not change thereafter, the CRC to be transmitted can advantageously also be determined once when the TAE 100 is manufactured and stored in the data memory of the chip 410 stored instead of recalculating the CRC check value with each transmission. Finally, there is another sequence of 8 high-low pulses, ie 16 bits, for synchronization, in figure 5 denoted by the reference numeral 540. Overall, therefore, a data sequence with a total data length of 72 bits is transmitted in the exemplary embodiment shown.

If the verification based on the received CRC signals a faulty transmission, the process is advantageously repeated by switching the high voltage off and on again, ie the voltage above the predetermined threshold value. in the in figure 5 In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the identification information, ie the stored ID, has a decimal value of 81 107 681 and the CRC check value has a value of 32. The clock rate at which the data sequence 500 is transmitted can advantageously have a value of around 1 ms/bit to have.

Referring again to the figures 3a and 3b , a connection strip 440 is provided in the illustrated embodiment of the electronic circuit 400, which serves as a programming interface and with the aid of which the chip 410 can be programmed. However, it is particularly advantageous for the chip 410 to be programmed once by the manufacturer and an assigned, unique piece of identification information is stored in the data memory of the chip 410, and the in Figure 3a illustrated connection strip 440 and connected to this connection lines omitted, so that a subsequent change of the stored identification information is avoided. In this case, only the pins of the chip 410 labeled with the numbers 5, 2 and 4 are used, ie the Connection 5 for the operating voltage, connection 2 for connecting to ground, and connection 4 as an output for driving the transistor 452.

In 6 A preferred embodiment of the TAE 100 is shown as an example, which comprises a housing 180 and a connection socket 150, which in the illustrated embodiment is an F-coded connection socket, this in particular being the one shown in Figure 3b illustrated socket 444 corresponds.

The components of the above and in the figures 3a and 3b Electronic circuit 400 shown schematically are preferably arranged completely or partially on a common board within the housing 180.

It would also be conceivable for the TAE 100 to include a plurality of F- and/or N-coded connection sockets, these being interconnected in a manner known per se.

The electronic circuit 400 described above is a preferred exemplary embodiment, since it enables a particularly simple construction of the electronic circuit 400 and avoids unnecessary energy consumption and unnecessary heat generation.

Instead of the above-described activation of the control unit of TAE 100 by a voltage applied to terminals 401 and 402 above a predetermined threshold voltage, however, other variants for activating the control unit would also be conceivable, such as the transmission of a predetermined data signal, which could also be provided to permanently supply the control unit with an operating voltage.

The use of a TAE according to the invention, such as the TAE 100 described above, makes it particularly advantageous to carry out a complete check of the interconnection of a subscriber connection on the exchange side without the need to check the interconnection on site.

In particular when a TAE according to the invention is installed at a customer location, the installed TAE can advantageously be uniquely identified on site and the unique identification information can be linked to the respective subscriber line.

Reference list:

100

Subscriber Connection Unit (TAE)

110

terminal strip

121, 122

Contacts of a connection socket of the TAE

130

diode

140

Resistance

150

connection socket

160

reading device

170

data storage

180

Housing

200

exchange

210

MSAN (Multi-Service Access Node)

220

DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer)

230

BRAS (Broadband Remote Access Server)

250

Two-wire subscriber line

300

subscriber terminal

400

Electronic switch

401, 402

Connections of the electronic circuit

410

Integrated chip

420

rectifier

425

Surge arresters

431, 432

DIACs

440, 442

connector strips

444

connection socket

451, 452

transistors

461, 462

inductances

470

zener diode

471, 475

diode

480

capacitor

491 - 497

resistors

500

data sequence

510

synchronization signal

520

identification information

530

CRC

540

synchronization signal

600

Passive test completion

601, 602

connection points

Claims (15)

Telecommunications connection unit (100) with connection contacts (401, 402) for connection to a subscriber line (250) and at least one connection socket (150, 444) for connecting a subscriber-side communication device (300), comprising - a readable data memory (170) with identification information that can be stored therein, wherein the data memory (170) can be read out by means of an external device (210, 160) via the connection contacts (401, 402) or via the at least one connection socket (150, 444). Telecommunications connection unit according to Claim 1, comprising a control unit (410), wherein the data memory can be read out by means of the control unit, and wherein the control unit is designed to, in response to an activation signal which the control unit receives from the external device (210, 160 ) receives to transmit an identification information stored in the data memory to the external device. Telecommunications connection unit according to Claim 2, in which the control unit is designed to automatically transmit the identification information stored in the data memory by means of a current-modulated signal (500) in response to the activation signal. Telecommunications connection unit according to one of Claims 2 or 3, in which the control unit is in the form of a microcontroller, in particular in which the microcontroller and the data memory are arranged in a common integrated chip (410). Telecommunications connection unit according to one of Claims 2 to 4, comprising an electronic circuit (400) with two connections (401, 402) for connection to the a and b wires of a subscriber line (250), the electronic circuit (400 ) is designed to, the control unit (410) when a voltage above a predetermined threshold value, in particular above a voltage of 60 V, in particular above a voltage of 64 V, is applied to the terminals (401, 402) of the electronic circuit (400). A telecommunications line unit according to claim 5, wherein the electronic circuit (400) comprises at least a first and a second resistor (492, 493), the first resistor (492) being arranged such that an electric current flows through it between the terminals (401, 402) of the electronic circuit (400) flows when a voltage above a predetermined threshold value is applied to the terminals (401, 402) of the electronic circuit (400), and wherein the second resistor (493), controlled by the control unit (410) can be connected in parallel with the first resistor (492) in order to vary the current intensity of the current flowing between the terminals (401, 402) of the electronic circuit (400). Telecommunications connection unit according to one of Claims 5 or 6, the electronic circuit (400) comprising a rectifier (420) and/or an inductance (460) connected between the a and b wires of the subscriber line. Telecommunications connection unit according to one of Claims 5 to 7, the telecommunications connection unit (100) forming a network termination and comprising a passive test termination (600). Telecommunications connection unit according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the telecommunications connection unit (100) comprises a surge arrester (425). Reading device (210, 160) for reading a data memory (170) of a telecommunications connection unit (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 9. Readout device according to Claim 10, the readout device being a remote device which can be connected to the telecommunications connection unit (100) via the subscriber line (250), in particular an MSAN (210) or DSLAM (220) arranged at the exchange. Readout device according to claim 10, wherein the readout device is a device (160) that can be connected locally to the telecommunications connection unit (100), in particular to the at least one connection socket (150, 444) of the telecommunications connection unit (100). Readout device according to one of Claims 10 to 12, designed to transmit a voltage above a predetermined threshold value, in particular above a voltage of 60 V, in particular above a voltage of 64 V to apply. Readout device according to one of Claims 10 to 13, designed to receive a current-modulated signal (500) from the telecommunications connection unit (100) and to determine identification information (520) from this. Method for identifying a telecommunications connection unit (100), comprising the steps: a) providing a telecommunications connection unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, b) storing unique identification information in the data memory (170) of the telecommunications connection unit (100), c) installing the telecommunications connection unit (100) on a subscriber line, d) activating a control unit (410) arranged in the telecommunications connection unit (100) by transmitting an activation signal to the control unit (410) from one having the connection contacts (401, 402) or the read-out device (210, 160) connected to the at least one connection socket (150, 444) of the telecommunications connection unit (100) according to one of Claims 10 to 14, e) in response to the activation, automatic transmission by the control unit (410) of a signal (500) generated as a function of the identification information stored in the data memory from the telecommunications connection unit (100) to the connected readout device (210, 160), and f) receiving the signal (500) and determining the identification information (520) from the received signal by the connected readout device (210, 160).

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